Motorcycle fuel tank packaging system

ABSTRACT

A motorcycle fuel tank packaging system may include a carton for housing the motorcycle fuel tank during shipment. The carton may have a plurality of walls. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system may include a panel fixedly positioned within the carton in a position that is substantially parallel to one of the walls of the carton, a clamp within the carton that is configured to releasably secure the motorcycle fuel tank, and a clamp base attached to the clamp at a location on the clamp base that causes the motorcycle fuel tank when secured by the clamp to be substantially spaced from each of the walls of the carton. The clamp base may include one or more rigid cross-beams sandwiched snuggly between the panel and the wall of the carton that is substantially parallel to the panel.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to packaging systems, including packagingsystems for motorcycle fuel tanks.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Parts and other types of components can be damaged during shipment. Forexample, they can be dented, scratched, or otherwise marred.

Motorcycle fuel tanks may be particularly prone to damage duringshipment. Not only can they be dented and scratched, but they may have adelicate painted surface which can be easily marred. The painted surfacemay be damaged merely by prolonged pressure from packaging materialpressed against it, particularly when the tank is packaged before thepaint has fully dried.

The size and configuration of parts and other components, such asmotorcycle fuel tanks, may vary. Thus, a packaging system designed tofit an article having one size and configuration may not fit otherarticles of the same type, if they have a different size and/orconfiguration.

A packaging system has been designed to address these needs. However,experience with this packaging system demonstrates that it can itself bedamaged during shipment. In turn, this may expose its contents, such asa motorcycle fuel tank, to damage during shipment.

SUMMARY

A motorcycle fuel tank packaging system may include a carton for housingthe motorcycle fuel tank during shipment. The carton may have aplurality of walls. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system may have apanel fixedly positioned within the carton in a position that issubstantially parallel to one of the walls of the carton. The motorcyclefuel tank packaging system may have a clamp within the carton that isconfigured to releasably secure the motorcycle fuel tank. The motorcyclefuel tank packaging system may have a clamp base attached to the clampat a location on the clamp base that causes the motorcycle fuel tankwhen secured by the clamp to be substantially spaced from each of thewalls of the carton. The clamp base may include one or more rigidcross-beams sandwiched snuggly between the panel and the wall of thecarton that is substantially parallel to the panel.

The rigid cross-beams may be parallel and spaced apart from one another.

The rigid cross-beams may be made of wood.

The wall of the carton which is substantially parallel to the panel mayhave a wall width. The rigid cross-beams may each have a length that isapproximately equal to the wall width.

The rigid cross-beams may each abut an opposing wall of the cartondifferent from the wall of the carton that is parallel to the panel.

The panel may be corrugated cardboard.

The rigid cross-beams may be attached to the panel, such as with glue.

The rigid cross-beams may not be attached to any wall of the carton.

The panel may lie between the clamp and the rigid cross beams. The rigidcross-beams may each be attached to the clamp by a bolt which passesthrough the panel.

The clamp may be configured to engage the motorcycle fuel tank only atan under surface of the motorcycle fuel tank and at an inner surface ofa neck of the motorcycle fuel tank.

The clamp may include a tapered plug configured to frictionally engagethe inner surface of the neck of the motorcycle fuel tank.

The clamp may include a transverse arm, and the tapered plug may beslidably attached to the transverse arm.

The clamp may include two support posts. The transverse arm may have twoends, and each of the support posts may support a different end of thetransverse arm.

The clamp may include a seat that is configured to support the undersurface of the motorcycle fuel tank. The seat and the panel may be partof a continuous folded sheet. The continuous folded sheet may becorrugated cardboard.

The clamp may include one or more support posts configured to supportthe seat from beneath the seat.

The seat may have opposing ends. Each of the posts may be positionedbeneath a different one of the opposing ends of the seat.

The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system may include support flaps thatare configured to cooperate with the clamp base to cause the panel to befixedly positioned within the carton.

The clamp may include a seat. The support flaps, the panel, and the seatmay be part of a continuous folded sheet. The continuous folded sheetmay be corrugated cardboard.

The support flaps, the panel, and the rigid cross-beams may form a threedimensional structure having a length, a width, and a height. The cartonmay have an interior with substantially the same length, width andheight.

The panel may include two spaced-apart portions within the same plane.

The clamp may be approximately centered between two walls of the carton.

These, as well as other components, steps, features, objects, benefits,and advantages, will now become clear from a review of the followingdetailed description of illustrative embodiments, the accompanyingdrawings, and the claims

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings disclose illustrative embodiments. They do not set forthall embodiments. Other embodiments may be used in addition or instead.Details that may be apparent or unnecessary may be omitted to save spaceor for more effective illustration. Conversely, some embodiments may bepracticed without all of the details that are disclosed. When the samenumeral appears in different drawings, it is intended to refer to thesame or like components or steps.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art internal motorcycle fuel tank supportsystem with cross beams that are on top of an upper surface of a panel.

FIG. 2 illustrates damage to the prior art internal motorcycle fuel tanksupport system that is illustrated in FIG. 1 that occurred after beingbeen dropped while in a shipping carton holding a motorcycle fuel tank.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close up of related damage to the prior artinternal motorcycle fuel tank support system that is illustrated in FIG.1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an internal motorcycle fuel tank support system withcross-beams that are beneath an under surface of a panel.

FIG. 5 illustrates the slidable clamp that is illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates one of the seat support posts that is illustrated inFIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support system thatis illustrated in FIG. 4 from beneath.

FIG. 8 illustrates a continuous sheet from which the flaps, panel, andseat that is illustrated in FIG. 4 may be formed.

FIG. 9 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support system thatis illustrated in FIG. 4 with the transverse arm removed and the supportflaps lying substantially flat.

FIG. 10 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 9 with a motorcycle fuel tank placed on topof the seat and after the flaps have been folded to a perpendicularposition.

FIG. 11 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 10 with a tapered plug inserted within aneck of the tank.

FIG. 12 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 11 after wing nuts have been fully tightenedand while being inserted into a shipping carton.

FIG. 13 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 11 within a shipping carton.

FIG. 14 illustrates an internal motorcycle fuel tank support system withan alternate embodiment of a seat.

FIG. 15 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 14 with added external support for the seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Illustrative embodiments are now discussed. Other embodiments may beused in addition or instead. Details that may be apparent or unnecessarymay be omitted to save space or for a more effective presentation.Conversely, some embodiments may be practiced without all of the detailsthat are disclosed.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art internal motorcycle fuel tank supportsystem with cross beams that are on top of an upper surface of a panel.This system includes a panel 101, that includes two spaced-apartportions within the same plane. The system includes a clamp thatincludes a seat 103 with openings 143 and 145, seat support posts 105and 107, a tapered plug 109, a slidable clamp 111, a transverse arm 113,arm support posts 115 and 117, bolts 119 and 121, and wing nuts 123 and125. The system includes support flaps 131 and 137 having carryinghandles 139 and 141, respectively. The system includes a clamp base thatincludes cross beams 127 and 129 that are on top of an upper surface 147of the panel 101. The cross beams are glued to the upper surface 147.

A motorcycle fuel tank (not shown in FIG. 1) was clamped between thetapered plug 109 and the seat 103. The internal motorcycle fuel tanksupport system illustrated in FIG. 1, with the motorcycle fuel tankclamped within it, was then locked within a shipping carton that hadinternal dimensions approximately the same as the overall dimensions ofthe internal motorcycle fuel tank support system illustrated in FIG. 1.

During shipment, this motorcycle fuel tank packaging system was droppedon the side of the shipping carton against which the support flap 131rested and/or at the lower corner edge of that side. This caused damageto the shipping carton.

FIG. 2 illustrates damage to the prior art internal motorcycle fuel tanksupport system that is illustrated in FIG. 1 that occurred after beingdropped while in a shipping carton holding a motorcycle fuel tank. Asillustrated in FIG. 2, the panel 101 partially tore along an interioredge of the cross-beam 127. This tearing was caused by the motorcyclefuel tank applying force on the clamp as the clamp broke the fall and,in turn, the clamp applying rotational force to the cross beams 127 and129. The tearing exposed the motorcycle fuel tank 201 to undesirablemovement within the shipping container during shipment. It also allowedthe motorcycle fuel tank to move be closer to a wall of the shippingcontainer, thus exposing the tank to damage from side impacts.

FIG. 3 illustrates a close up of related damage to the prior artinternal motorcycle fuel tank support system that is illustrated inFIG. 1. Specifically, it illustrates a corresponding tear of the panel101 along an interior edge of the cross-beam 129.

FIG. 4 illustrates an internal motorcycle fuel tank support system withcross-beams that are beneath an under surface of a panel.

As shown in FIG. 4, the internal motorcycle fuel tank support system mayinclude a panel 401. The panel 401 may include a upper surface 447 andan under surface 449. As is more clearly illustrated in FIG. 7, thispanel may have two spaced-apart portions in the same plane.

The internal motorcycle fuel tank support system may include a clampthat is configured to releasably secure a motorcycle fuel tank. Theclamp may include a seat 403, seat support posts 405 and 407, a taperedplug 409, a slidable clamp 411, a transverse arm 413, arm support posts415 and 417, arm support plates 416 and 418, bolts 419 and 421, and wingnuts 423 and 425.

The internal motorcycle fuel tank support system may include a clampbase that may include cross-beams 427 and 429.

The internal motorcycle fuel tank support system may include supportflaps 431 and 437 having carrying handles 439 and 441, respectively.

The panel 401 may serve as a surface upon which the clamp may be placed.The panel 401 may have a rectangular shape, as illustrated in FIG. 4, ormay have any other shape. The panel 401 may be thin, rigid, and/orlight. The panel 401 may be made of any material, such as plastic orcardboard. The plastic or cardboard may be corrugated.

The seat 403 may be centered between opposing perimeter edges of thepanel 401. It may instead be offset from the center, but stillsubstantially spaced from each of these opposing perimeter edges.

The seat 403 may have any shape. For example, it may be configured tosupport an under surface of a motorcycle fuel tank.

The seat 403 may include openings 443 and 445. The openings 443 and 445in the seat may be oriented to allow air flow and/or to allow one ormore protrusions from the under surface of the motorcycle fuel tank,such as a fuel line, to protrude through them.

The seat 403 may be made from any material. The material may be thin,rigid, and/or light. For example, the seat may be made from cardboard orplastic. The cardboard or plastic may be corrugated.

The seat support posts 405 and 407 may be configured to support the seat403 under the seat 403. They may be positioned at opposite ends of theseat 403, or may be placed in other positions. A different number ofseat support posts may be provided, such as one or three.

The seat support posts 405 and 407 may or may not be affixed to the seat403. For example, they may be glued to the under surface of the seat 403or attached by other means.

The seat support posts 405 and 407 may be of any shape and may be madeof any material. For example, they may be trapezoidal in shape and maybe made of a substantially rigid material, but of a material that alsoprovides cushioning, such as Expanded polypropylene.

The tapered plug 409 may be configured to fit within the neck of themotorcycle fuel tank so as to engage an interior surface of the neck.The tapered plug 409 may instead have a lower diameter that is greaterthan the diameter of the neck of the motorcycle fuel tank. The taperedplug 409 need not be tapered or cylindrical.

The tapered plug 409 may be made of any material. For example, it may bemade of a material that is firm, but compressible, so as to not scratchany portion of the motorcycle fuel tank. For example, the tapered plug409 may be made of rubber or plastic.

The tapered plug 409 may be detachable from the slidable clamp 411. Forexample, a screw or other type of attachment device may be used. Thismay enable tapered plugs of different sizes and shapes to be affixed tothe slidable clamp, so as to better accommodate motorcycle fuel tanks ofdifferent sizes and/or configurations.

The tapered plug 409 may be attached to the transverse arm 413 by meansother than the slidable clamp 411. For example, the tapered plug 409 maybe fixedly attached to the transverse arm 413 by a nail, screw or glue.

The slidable clamp 411 may be configured so as to slide along the lengthof the transverse arm 413 while being attached to the tapered plug 409.This may enable the tapered plug 409 to be adjusted to differentpositions so as to fit motorcycle fuel tanks having necks at differentpositions.

The slidable clamp 411 may have any shape. For example, it may have theshape illustrated in FIG. 4. It may include a locking mechanism thatlocks the slidable clamp 411 in place, once adjusted to a desiredlocation.

The slidable clamp 411 may be made of any material. For example, it maybe made of a material that is relatively rigid, but that readilycompresses to provide cushioning. For example, the slidable clamp 411may be made of Expanded polypropylene.

The transverse arm 413 may have any shape and may be made of anymaterial. For example, it may be made of a material that is fairlyrigid, but that can provide some degree of flexure, thereby allowingsome variation in the distance between the neck of the motorcycle fueltank and its under surface, while still firmly clamping the motorcyclefuel tank between the tapered plug 409 and the seat 403. For example,the transverse arm 413 may be made of wood, and may be cut such that thegrain of the wood runs along the length of the transverse arm 413,thereby facilitating some degree of flexure.

The arm support posts 415 and 417 may be of any size or shape. Forexample, they may be of a height that causes the tapered plug 409 tosnugly fit within the neck of a motorcycle fuel tank when resting on theseat 403. They may be of a width sufficient to provide the arm supportposts 415 and 417 with structural integrity. They may be made of amaterial which is substantially rigid, but which may provide cushioningduring shipment. For example, the arm support posts may be made ofExpanded polypropylene. In other embodiments, the arm support posts 415and 417 may be eliminated.

The seat support posts 405 and 407 may be attached to the arm supportpost 415 and 417, respectively, such as by glue, staples, nails, or byother means. They may instead be integral with the arm support posts,respectively.

The arm support posts 405 and 407 may be rested against or may beaffixed to the upper surface 447 of the panel 401. In one embodiment,for example, they may be glued to the upper surface 447. In anotherembodiment, they may be affixed to the upper surface 447 by nails,staples, or screws. The nails, staples, or screws may pass through thecorresponding cross-beams 427 and 429 to provide additional rigidity.They may instead be held against the panel 401 merely by the forceasserted by the bolts 419 and 421, respectively.

A longitudinal channel 451 may be provided in the arm support post 415and a corresponding longitudinal channel may be provided in the armsupport post 417 (not visible in FIG. 4). These channels may beconfigured to accommodate the bolts 419 and 421, respectively.

The arm support plates 416 and 418 may serve to distribute the forceasserted by the transverse arm 413 across the entire upper surface areaof the arm support post 415 and 417, respectively. They may in additionor instead serve to adjust the height of the transverse arm 413. The armsupport plates 416 and 418 may be of any material, such as wood orExpanded polypropylene. In some configurations, they may be omitted. Thearm support plates 416 and 418 may or may not be affixed to the top ofthe arm support posts 415 and 417, respectively, and/or to the bottom ofthe transverse arm 413. Glue, nails, staples, or other means may beused.

The bolts 419 and 421 may have flat heads which rest flush against anunder surface of the cross-beams 427 and 429, respectively. These boltsmay pass through the panel 401, including openings that may be providedin the panel 401 for this purpose. The transverse arm 413 may be securedto the bolts 419 and 421 by wing nuts 423 and 425, respectively. Washersmay be added. Means other than nuts and bolts may be used to secure thetransverse arm 413 to the support posts 415 and 417, such as glue,nails, and/or staples.

The cross-beams 427 and 429 may be of any shape. They may be oriented soas to abut the under surface 449 of the panel 401. They may be attachedor not attached to the under surface 449. When attached, they may beattached by any means, such as by staples, tacks, nails, and/or glue.The attachment may be throughout the length of the cross-beams 427 and429 or only at one or more spaced-apart locations. The cross-beams 427and 429 may be configured to span across the entire width of the panel401, that is, the full width between two of the other opposing perimeteredges of the panel 401. The cross-beams 427 and 429 may instead spanacross only a portion of this distance.

The cross-beams 427 and 429 may each be positioned such to abut anopposing perimeter edge of the under surface 449 of the panel 401 alonga length of the cross beams 427 and 429, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Thecross-beams 427 and 429 may instead be spaced inwardly from theseopposing perimeter edges.

The cross-beams 427 and 429 may be oriented perpendicular to the lengthof the transverse arm 413, as illustrated in FIG. 4. They may instead beoriented at a different angle.

FIG. 4 illustrates two cross-beams. However, a different number may beused, such as three four, or even one.

The cross-beams 427 and 429 may have any width or thickness. Forexample, they may be thinner, thicker, narrower, or wider. The width andthickness may be sufficient to provide substantial rigidity. A singleplaner surface could instead be used spanning across most if not all ofthe area of the under surface 449 of the panel 401.

The cross-beams 427 and 429 may be made of any material. For example,they may be made of a rigid material such as wood or plastic.

The support flaps 431 and 437 may be of any shape. For example, they maybe substantially rectangular. The carrying handles 439 and 441 may be ofany shape and may be positioned so as to allow the entire internalmotorcycle fuel tank support system to be easily lifted and placedwithin a shipping container. Additional support handles may be provided.These support handles may be omitted.

The support flaps 431 and 437 may be made of any material. They may bemade of material which is rigid, thin, and/or light. For example, theymay be made of cardboard or plastic, such as corrugated cardboard orplastic.

FIG. 5 illustrates the slidable clamp that is illustrated in FIG. 4. Theconfiguration of the slidable clamp may be different.

FIG. 6 illustrates one of the seat support posts that is illustrated inFIG. 4. It may have a trapezoid shape or any other shape. It may beconfigured to conform to the interior curvature of the seat 403.

FIG. 7 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support system thatis illustrated in FIG. 4 from beneath. This includes the under surface449 of the panel 401 and the under side of the seat 403, the seatsupport posts 405 and 407, the cross-beams 427 and 429, and the heads ofthe bolts 419 and 421. It also illustrates that the holes for the bolts419 and 421 in the cross-beams 427 and 429, respectively, may becountersunk. It also illustrates that the panel 401 may include twospaced-apart sections in the same plane.

FIG. 8 illustrates a continuous sheet from which the flaps, panel, andseat that is illustrated in FIG. 4 may be formed. As illustrated in FIG.8, this sheet may be scored with scores 801, 803, 805, 807, 809, and 811to define the edges that may be folded and to make the folding easier.Cuts 813, 814, 815, and 816 may be made to provide surfaces 817, 818,819, and 820, respectively, on which the arm support posts 415 and 417may, respectively, be mounted, while simultaneously permitting the sides821 and 823 of the seat 403 to fold upwardly.

The foldable sheet illustrated in FIG. 8 may be made of any material.For example, it may be made of cardboard or plastic, such as corrugatedcardboard or plastic. When using corrugated cardboard or plastic, theflutes may run either along the length or the width.

FIG. 9 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support system thatis illustrated in FIG. 4 with the transverse arm removed and the supportflaps lying substantially flat. This illustrates an initial position atwhich the internal motorcycle fuel tank may be placed in preparation forreceiving the motorcycle fuel tank.

FIG. 10 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 9 with a motorcycle fuel tank placed on topof the seat and after the flaps have been folded to a perpendicularposition. As illustrated in FIG. 10, a motorcycle fuel tank 1001 hasbeen placed on top of the seat 403 and the flaps 431 and 437 have beenfolded perpendicular to the panel 401. The tank may be placed upon theseat before paint on the motorcycle fuel tank has fully dried.

FIG. 11 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 10 with a tapered plug inserted within aneck of the tank. As illustrated in FIG. 11, the transverse arm 113 maybe placed on top of the bolts 419 and 421 after the motorcycle fuel tank1001 has been placed on top of the seat 403. The slidable clamp 411 maybe moved along the length of the transverse arm 413 until the taperedplug 409 aligns with a neck 1003 of the motorcycle fuel tank 1001. Thetransverse arm 413 may then be pressed downwardly so as to cause thebolts 419 and 421 to travel through holes in ends of the transverse arm413.

FIG. 12 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 11 after wing nuts have been fully tightenedand while being inserted into a shipping carton. As illustrated in FIG.12, the wing nuts 423 and 425 may be fully tightened on the bolts 419and 421, respectively. In turn, this may cause the ends of thetransverse arm 413 to abut against the arm support plates 416 and 418,respectively, and for the arm support plates 416 and 418 to abut againstthe arm support posts 415 and 417, respectively. This may cause thetransverse arm 413 to bend slightly, thereby insuring that themotorcycle fuel tank is securely clamped between the tapered plug 409and the seat 403.

After the motorcycle fuel tank is securely clamped, the support flaps431 and 437, the entire internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemwith the motorcycle fuel tank securely clamped to it may then be placedwithin a shipping carton 1201, as illustrated in FIG. 12. Exterior flaps1203, 1205, 1207, and 1209 of the shipping carton may then be closed andsealed.

FIG. 13 illustrates the internal motorcycle fuel tank support systemthat is illustrated in FIG. 11 within a shipping carton.

As illustrated in FIG. 13, the internal motorcycle fuel tank supportsystem 1301 may snugly fit within the shipping carton 1201. The interiordimensions of the shipping carton 1201 may correspond closely with theexternal dimensions of the internal motorcycle fuel tank support system1301, thereby ensuring that the internal motorcycle fuel tank supportsystem cannot move within the shipping carton 1201. While within theshipping carton 1201, the support flaps 431 and 437 may be substantiallyperpendicular to the panel 401, thereby causing their top edges to abutthe under surface of the top of the shipping carton 1201 after theexterior flaps 1203, 1205, 1207, and 1209 of the shipping carton 1201are closed and sealed. The support flaps 431 and 437 may have a heightthat is sufficient to cause this abutment and to ensure that the tops ofthe bolts 419 and 421 do not come in contact with the upper surface ofthe shipping carton 1201 and, preferably, are spaced by a comfortablemargin from it. By making the support flaps 431 and 437 foldableportions of a larger surface which includes the panel 401, such as anintegral part of the continuous sheet illustrated in FIG. 8, the supportflaps 431 and 437 may have a natural tendency to bow outwardly, thusensuring that they maintain their perpendicular position with respect tothe panel 401 while within the shipping carton 1201. A top cross bar maybe inserted between the upper ends of the support flaps 431 and 437 toinsure that they maintain this position while within the shipping carton1201.

The flutes of the shipping carton 1201 may be in any direction. Forexample, they may be vertical, thus maximizing stacking strength, orthey may be horizontal, thus maximizing protection against side impact.

The motorcycle fuel tank 1001 may be suspended securely within theshipping carton 1201 after the exterior flaps 1203, 1205, 1207, and 1209of the shipping carton 1201 are closed and sealed. The motorcycle fueltank 1001 may be substantially spaced from each of the walls of theshipping carton 1201, thus protecting the tank against impact damage. Noportion of the visible painted surfaces of the motorcycle fuel tank maybe pressing against anything, such as packaging material, thus ensuringthat any paint on these surfaces may fully dry without concern overmarring or other types of damage.

FIG. 14 illustrates an internal motorcycle fuel tank support system withan alternate embodiment of the seat. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a seat1401 has a surface that may include large openings 1403 and 1405. Theseopenings may allow the seat 1401 to support a motorcycle fuel tank thathas objects which protrude from its under surface. As also illustratedin FIG. 14, a seat support post 1407 may be positioned inwardly from theend of the seat 1401, so as to allow one of these objects to protrudedownwardly below the seat without colliding with the seat support post1407.

FIG. 15 illustrates the motorcycle fuel tank support system that isillustrated in FIG. 14 with added external support for the seat. Asillustrated in FIG. 15, the seat 1401 may additionally be supported byexternal supports 1501 and 1503. These may be pressed against the sidesof the seat 1401, so as to provide external lateral support.

The components, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages thathave been discussed are merely illustrative. None of them, nor thediscussions relating to them, are intended to limit the scope ofprotection in any way. Numerous other embodiments are also contemplated,including embodiments that have fewer, additional, and/or differentcomponents, steps, features, objects, benefits and advantages. Thecomponents and steps may also be arranged and ordered differently.

For example, the packaging systems that have been described may be usedto support articles and components during shipment other than motorcyclefuel tanks. In this regard, this application is related to U.S. Pat. No.6,752,271, entitled “WINDSHIELD PACKAGING SYSTEM USING SYNERGISTIC CLAMPJAW COMPONENTS,” issued Jun. 22, 2004, attorney docket No. 064706-0019;U.S. Pat. No. 6,789,674, entitled “WINDSHIELD PACKAGING SYSTEM USINGPRESSURE-REGULATED CLAMPS,” issued Sep. 14, 2004, attorney docket No.064706-0021; U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,692, entitled “WINDSHIELD PACKAGINGSYSTEM USING CORRUGATED BOX WITH HORIZONTALLY-RUNNING FLUTES,” issuedMay 3, 2005, attorney docket No. 064706-0020; U.S. Pat. No. 7,080,735,entitled “WINDSHIELD PACKAGING SYSTEM USING PRESSURE-REGULATED CLAMPSWITH SYNERGISTIC CLAMP JAW COMPONENTS,” issued Jul. 25, 2005, attorneydocket No. 064706-0065; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/279,533,entitled “WINDSHIELD PACKAGING SYSTEM USING PRESSURE-REGULATED CLAMPSWITH SYNERGISTIC CLAMP JAW COMPONENTS,” filed Apr. 12, 2006, attorneydocket No. 064706-0072; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/932,277,entitled “PACKAGING SYSTEM USING SYNERGISTIC CLAMP JAW COMPONENTS,”filed Oct. 31, 2007, attorney docket No. 064706-0072. The entire contentof each of the applications and patents identified above is incorporatedherein by reference. Components, features, and methods described inthese applications and patents may be used in connection with any of theembodiments that are described or illustrated in the subject patentapplication, to the extent that they are not inconsistent or otherwiseincompatible.

The phrase “means for” when used in a claim embraces the correspondingstructures and materials that have been described and their equivalents.Similarly, the phrase “step for” when used in a claim embraces thecorresponding acts that have been described and their equivalents. Theabsence of these phrases means that the claim is not limited to any ofthe corresponding structures, materials, or acts or to theirequivalents.

Nothing that has been stated or illustrated is intended to cause adedication of any component, step, feature, object, benefit, advantage,or equivalent to the public, regardless of whether it is recited in theclaims.

The scope of protection is limited solely by the claims that now follow.That scope is intended to be as broad as is reasonably consistent withthe language that is used in the claims when interpreted in light ofthis specification and to encompass all structural and functionalequivalents.

1. A motorcycle fuel tank packaging system comprising: a corrugatedcardboard carton for housing the motorcycle fuel tank during shipment,the carton having a plurality of walls; a single piece of corrugatedcardboard folded within the carton so as to create: a panel that issubstantially parallel to a wall of the carton; two support flaps thatare substantially perpendicular to the panel; and a seat configured tosupport an under surface of the motorcycle fuel tank; a clamp within thecarton that includes the seat and that is configured to releasablysecure the motorcycle fuel tank by applying force to the motorcycle fueltank only at an under surface of the motorcycle fuel tank and at innersurface of a neck of the motorcycle fuel tank; and a clamp base attachedto the clamp at a location on the clamp base that causes the motorcyclefuel tank when secured by the clamp to be substantially in the center ofthe carton and spaced from each of the walls of the carton, the clampbase including two rigid cross-beams that are parallel to and spacedapart from one another, that are sandwiched snuggly between the paneland the wall of the carton that is substantially parallel to the panel,that are attached to the panel, and that are not attached to any wall ofthe carton.
 2. A motorcycle fuel tank packaging system comprising: acarton for housing the motorcycle fuel tank during shipment, the cartonhaving a plurality of walls; a panel fixedly positioned within thecarton in a position that is substantially parallel to one of the wallsof the carton; a clamp within the carton that is configured toreleasably secure the motorcycle fuel tank; and a clamp base attached tothe clamp at a location on the clamp base that causes the motorcyclefuel tank when secured by the clamp to be substantially spaced from eachof the walls of the carton, the clamp base including one or more rigidcross-beams sandwiched snuggly between the panel and the wall of thecarton that is substantially parallel to the panel.
 3. The motorcyclefuel tank packaging system of claim 2 wherein the rigid cross-beams areparallel and spaced apart from one another.
 4. The motorcycle fuel tankpackaging system of claim 2 wherein the rigid cross-beams are made ofwood.
 5. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim 2 whereinthe wall of the carton which is substantially parallel to the panel hasa wall width and wherein the rigid cross-beams each have a length thatis approximately equal to the wall width.
 6. The motorcycle fuel tankpackaging system of claim 2 wherein the rigid cross-beams each abut anopposing wall of the carton different from the wall of the carton thatis parallel to the panel.
 7. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging systemof claim 2 wherein the panel is corrugated cardboard.
 8. The motorcyclefuel tank packaging system of claim 2 wherein the rigid cross-beams areattached to the panel.
 9. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system ofclaim 8 wherein the rigid cross-beams are attached to the panel withglue.
 10. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim 8 whereinthe rigid cross-beams are not attached to any wall of the carton. 11.The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim 2 wherein the panellies between the clamp and the rigid cross beams and wherein the rigidcross-beams are each attached to the clamp by a bolt which passesthrough the panel.
 12. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system ofclaim 2 wherein the clamp is configured to engage the motorcycle fueltank only at an under surface of the motorcycle fuel tank and at aninner surface of a neck of the motorcycle fuel tank.
 13. The motorcyclefuel tank packaging system of claim 12 wherein the clamp includes atapered plug configured to frictionally engage the inner surface of theneck of the motorcycle fuel tank.
 14. The motorcycle fuel tank packagingsystem of claim 13 wherein the clamp includes a transverse arm andwherein the tapered plug is slidably attached to the transverse arm. 15.The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim 14 wherein the clampincludes two support posts, wherein the transverse arm has two ends, andwherein each of the support posts supports a different end of thetransverse arm.
 16. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim12 wherein the clamp includes a seat that is configured to support theunder surface of the motorcycle fuel tank.
 17. The motorcycle fuel tankpackaging system of claim 16 wherein the seat and the panel are part ofa continuous folded sheet.
 18. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging systemof claim 17 wherein the continuous folded sheet is corrugated cardboard.19. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim 16 wherein theclamp includes one or more support posts configured to support the seatfrom beneath the seat.
 20. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system ofclaim 19 wherein the seat has opposing ends and wherein each of theposts is positioned beneath a different one of the opposing ends of theseat.
 21. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim 2 furthercomprising support flaps that are configured to cooperate with the clampbase to cause the panel to be fixedly positioned within the carton. 22.The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system of claim 21 wherein the clampincludes a seat and wherein the support flaps, the panel, and the seatare part of a continuous folded sheet.
 23. The motorcycle fuel tankpackaging system of claim 22 wherein the continuous folded sheet iscorrugated cardboard.
 24. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system ofclaim 19 wherein the support flaps, the panel, and the rigid cross-beamsform a three dimensional structure having a length, a width, and aheight, and wherein the carton has an interior with substantially thesame length, width and height.
 25. The motorcycle fuel tank packagingsystem of claim 2 wherein the panel include two spaced-apart portionswithin the same plane.
 26. The motorcycle fuel tank packaging system ofclaim 2 wherein the clamp is approximately centered between two walls ofthe carton.
 27. A motorcycle fuel tank packaging system comprising: apanel configured to be placed within a carton and parallel to a wall ofthe carton, the panel having a upper surface, a bottom surface, and twoopposing perimeter edges; a clamp configured to be placed within thecarton and to releasably secure the motorcycle fuel tank, the clampabutting the upper surface of the panel at a location that is spacedsubstantially from both of the two opposing perimeter edges of thepanel; and one or more rigid cross-beams that are configured to beplaced within the carton, that are each attached to the clamp, that havea length that approximately spans between the two opposing perimeteredges of the panel, and that abuts the bottom surface of the panel alongits length.